I remember when I first started with the Institute of Children’s Literature back in 1997, what they told me to write in my profile was about my “writing life.” I’m guessing that’s what new writers are most interested in, right? What’s it like to be a professional writer?
- Image via Wikipedia
Back then, I had tons of articles already published and a few short stories. And I wrote them all while my daughter was growing and developing mentally. Let’s face it in early 1997, she was only seven years old and in first grade. So, I used what I was learning about writing to choose the right books for her that would teach her about the world.
She was already used to Mom “working,” as that’s what I called my one hour a day. Working. You have to think of it like that, even if you’re just starting out. Writers write, period. If you write, you’re a writer and you’re “working” whenever you’re researching or writing. You need to keep this mindset if you want to succeed.
Use what you know to start. (I’m sure you’ve heard that before.) But think about all the different topics you might find yourself expert in. Perhaps you have a job that people are interested in learning more about. Or, you have hobbies that people can relate to. Or, you’re an animal lover and want to write about your cats. Whatever it is, start there. You’ll be much more comfortable.
And just write. Take one hour a day and get anything down on paper or into your computer screen. The act of doing it will spur you on further. But don’t edit as you write! That is shooting yourself in the foot. The writing really is in the rewriting. Get what’s in your brain out first and then, shape it to be what you want.
If you find it difficult to write or type your thoughts out, use a voice recorder and talk your thoughts out. You can get someone else to transcribe what you’ve said. But talk for an hour, every day, until you have something worthwhile.
Then, spend your daily hour on rewriting your article or story, and that’s really where you should start — with short pieces. Build some credentials with published work, and selling that book inside your brain will be much easier. Just commit to that one hour a day.
Pat, and Writer’s Life Readers:
I visited this page – https://patmarcello.com/336/writers-life/ – and when I read: “You can get someone else to transcribe what you’ve said. ” I thought “yeah, but…” Gadgets, stuff and thingies. Where are they when I want them? Outta reach, that’s where.
For Windows users (before WIndows Vista) you have a recorder right there, in the computer.
It’s Windows Sound Recorder program, and you can easily set it up to start without mousing around, so you can record your thoughts on your best days, worst daze or any day in between.
At …
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/82215
… is a Microsoft page to detail how to record longer than 60 seconds. You just need to do this once.
So, to make the shortcut, browse and find Windows Sound Recorder (SndRec32.exe) which before Windows Vista, was by default listed (below) here:
C:\WINDOWS\system32/sndrec32.exe
Once there, place (not click) your cursor on that sndrec32.exe and right click, and make it so you make a shortcut for it on the desktop.
Next, rename that long “Shortcut to…” to something you can remember – whatever so that on your best… worst… remember it.
Next, drag that shorcut to where you can simply tap once or twice on the keyboard to start it up.
The object is so that 1 or 2 taps of the Windows key (or Alt Esc keys simultaneously) and your shortcut key will start the program.
You will need a microphone, and if you’re all set, great. If not, get one – now.
I use something that I will tell you about, because I don’t like the on-the-head, over-the-ear, bluetooth this or wireless that to record.
I simply speak out loud and the keyboard picks it up, and the keyboard plays it back, because the keyboard has a microphone and speakers in it.
I’m not pitching this thing, called the Verbatim Tune Board Part Number 96668. – I’m using it.
Every day I type up people’s words, VerbatimIT. I’m here to serve.
Thanks. G’luck.
Alan
Typoz mine
Alan, thanks for this! I didn’t realize that you could length the time with Windows Voice Recorder. Great!
You can also get Audacity at http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ which is free and is way more powerful, except it’s not as user friendly as Windows Voice Recorder.
For transcribing, it’s not cheap, unless you hunt down a transcriptionist at http://Elance.com, http://ODesk.com, or http://guru.com. Trouble with those is that you may not get the quality you want, but it’s still easier to take a sub-par transcript and fix it than to transcribe yourself. I used to do it when I interviewed people and a 1-hour interview took forever.
A really great place to have transcriptions made is Verbalink, but their prices are $1.25 a minute and up. The transcript that comes back is very well done, and you can describe what you want to them and they’ll do it for you. We use them at Overcome Everything, and they’re amazing.
Thanks again for your comment. It’s very helpful!
Pat